Cerebral Palsy including Hemiplegia
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is a condition in which impairment to the immature brain affects movement, posture and balance. Cerebral Palsy is not progressive - the condition itself does not become more severe as the child gets older, although some of the effects on the body may become more noticeable and function may deteriorate. It’s a complex condition that can be very mild or severe, with no two people being affected in quite the same way.
For more information see the Early Support Wales information leaflet on Cerebral Palsy.
Therapists can help a child/young person with Cerebral Palsy participate in the important activities within their daily lives. The therapists will work closely with families, schools and other professionals, to help manage the needs of the child in their daily life.
How a Physiotherapist can help?
A Physiotherapist will help to promote and develop more efficient ways of moving through play and a range of treatment options including (please see treatment section);
- Positioning
- Handling
- Exercises
How an Occupational Therapist may help?
Occupational Therapy (OT) can help a child/young person with Cerebral Palsy participate in the activities within their daily lives that they need to do and/or want to do. Working closely with families and schools, an OT may provide any of the following interventions depending on the individual’s needs and goals:
- Adaptation advice – working closely with OTs from Social Services, environmental advice and/or equipment for both home and school/nursery.
- Health and safety advice and management of risk.
- Child/young person specific moving and handling advice.
- Postural management e.g. specialist seating.
- Self-care skills - strategies, equipment and positioning.
- Sensory modulation and integration- to help attention and possible difficulties with sensory sensitivities.
- Specialist equipment – for personal needs such as toileting and bathing.
- Upper limb orthotics/hand splinting.
Coming soon ... relevant Occupational Therapy Home Programmes available for members on this website.
Useful Contacts:
www.hemihelp.org.uk (includes an interactive forum where you can post specific issues)
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.
We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.